Death of 21-year-old machete victim and 'great dad' leaves 3 children fatherless

The mother of one of Victor Martinez’s children said that the 21-year-old who was stabbed to death Wednesday was a wonderful father who would do anything for his kids.

The 20-year-old Jersey City woman said that she saw Martinez just after 3 p.m. Wednesday when he came to drop off their child. Martinez must have taken a bus back home (to Waverly Street), where he was attacked. A 15-year-old Dickinson High School student has been charged in the killing.

“(Martinez) was a great dad,” said the woman, who did not want to be identified. “He was loved by his daughters. He would do anything to protect them and he was always there for them.”

The woman said her four-year relationship with Martinez ended in 2010, but they still spoke daily and he remained a big part of their daughter’s life. Martinez also had a 9-month-old girl from another relationship.

Martinez and the woman attended School 25 together, but Martinez did not attend high school in Jersey City. He worked odd jobs, she said, and always provided what he could for his daughters.

She was shocked when she heard of the attack.

“He never mentioned that he had a problem with anyone or that anyone was after him,” she said. “He was loved by a lot of people.”